Gerald Wright's Movie Coverage
"THE BUCKET LIST"
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Running time: 98 minutes
Release date: December 25, 2007 (limited) & January 2008 (wide)
Genre: Drama and Comedy
Distributor: Warner Bros.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
This is a dramedy focusing on two older men finding the joy in their lives before they end it. The title of this film stems from Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman). When he was a young man attending college a professor suggested that the students should make a collection of things to do, see and experience in life before they kick the bucket.
Carter's life wasn't a profitable one working as an automobile mechanic, but he married and enjoyed raising two fine children who became successful adults. Until one day he found out he had cancer forcing him to undergo therapy and hospitalization. Meanwhile in the bed next to him is the corporate billionaire Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) who was too busy for family life due to the many marriages he's had. Cole's cancer is something he hasn't the time for, but life has delivered an unexpected message to both men.
The two men seem to have many differences, but they soon become friends. Carter makes out his bucket list and Cole decides that it is a good idea to do the things the haven't done. These two old rascals form a bond and take on a road trip for the adventure of a lifetime. From the Taj Mahal to the Serengeti, the finest restaurants to the seediest tattoo parlors, the cockpit of vintage race cars to sky diving from prop planes. The men follow their list of things to do, see and experience and learn from each other while finding joy in the time they have left to live.
These two Academy Award winning actors are brilliant on screen playing off each other in funny and serious dramatic scenes. They managed to take a very traumatic story concerning death and added a spark of humor to ease a serious issue of cancer. This touching film proved to be a no-holds-barred adventure that showed it's never to late to live life to its fullest.
FILM RATING (B)
|
